Hi Ben,

Yep it is Auckland Centric of me isn't but I still think the gap exists and that the gap is huge.

Mark - yes now I know who you are talking about - he has great talent and I'd love to see him doing well.

Now I know I will get stick for this - but It should provoke some discussion and hopefully action to prove me wrong

Sonny - good fighter, but as yet hasn't done anything special - Todd and Daniel are seasoned international campaigners but were journeymen on the delcine in my eyes - but good step up victories has Sonny done anythin major since? He could be one to take the step up.

Ngakau - is a solid fighter but nothing special - bit like me he spends too much time on the internet - he may improve in Aussie but is he a potential world beater ???

Vince - well I actually think he is highly underrated and hopefully will prove me right.

But none of these guys are special or outstanding - Jason Suttie went to Japn on his own and fought the top Jananese and European fighters with less than 20 ameteur and pro fights under his belt Jayson Vermoa was fighting top pros inside of ten fights, Ray Sefo turned pro in his 5th or 6th, Tongalahi was fighting top Thais at 16,17,18

Jordon Tai has been fighting since he was about 13 or 14, and only in the last couple of year has he really stepped up

Ron Sefo beat Grant BArker in his first Pro fight after about 12 Ameteur Fights

Chopper again pro within 10 fights and fighting top internationals

All these guys were pushing the evelope early in their careers, no one of the up and comers in NZ is currently doing that -

It may be an Auckland Centric view but it is fact - if not please proove me wrong because that will be for the betterment of NZ Kickboxing having Wellington and Christchurch and co really strong. Having said that I do think that Wellington is coming on in huge leaps and bounds and the fights are so much harder now the guys are better prepared and more skilled than ever before thanks to guys like Rex Dave and co.

I think we need to aim higher than a NZ title or even a south pacifc title or a local world title (which is basically a south pacific title any way no disrespect to those guys who have won them, I should know I did my self but I won a world title with out fighting someone outside of Australasia)

There is a huge gulf between International and World calss and national class fighters and there is an equally big gap between A and B class fighters at this point NZ's only A class fighters are Ray, Chopper, Mark Hunt, Jordon Tai Jason Suttie, possibly Dave, Rex and Ron might sneak in but they still have to consistently perform against top international fighters - Dave gahn has at a lighter weight but I'm not sure how he will go at middle weight.

I think sometimes we get stuck in our own fish bowl and believe our own hype (I know I have at times) - A Class Champion is a long way off for our 2nd Echelon of fighters and once Ray, MArk and Jason retire in or or three years at this point only Chopper and Jordon look like swinging the flag ...

I hope I have offended enought people to prove me wrong because I love this sport and this country and want something to scream about come next friday night!!! and at furture international events!!!!